Main Hoon Shahid Afridi: A leap toward revival of Pakistan film industry

Back in 1995, I
recall my exuberance when I traveled all the way from Malibu, California to
Saddar, Karachi, to watch and experience the Premiere of Urdu Film “Jeeva.”

Directed by Syed
Noor, this remarkable movie introduced Babar Ali and Resham into Lollywood and
instantly turned them into stars.

The film was indeed
a “re-awakening of Pakistan Film Industry in the 1990s.” It received
international fame at all foreign festivals. “Jeeva” also proved a milestone
for Anwar Rafi whose singing career was re-launched through the splendid songs
he rendered for the film.

Alas. After the
great Pakistani movie “Jeeva,” Pakistan had little to brag.

Not anymore. “Main
Hoon Shahid Afridi” has got all that it takes to put the Pakistan Film Industry
back on track. The movie has been officially released on August 13 all over
Pakistan.

I was fortunate to
witness the grandiose premiere of “Mein Hoon Shahid Afridi” at The Atrium,
Karachi.

The red carpet
event was packed with VIPs from Pakistan, India, UAE, UK, France, and the US.
The arena looked like a fashion show with hundreds of DSLR cameras keen to
capture the reaction of the socialites on the revival of the Pakistani cinema.

The hard work by
actors, director, and the entire team, is clearly reflected from start to
finish.

The premiere drew
loud cheers and standing applause from all participants. The fervor of cricket
(one of the few things that binds the Pakistani nation) was duly supported with
the burning desire to produce a successful movie with its own identity.

The movie is a
story of an ambitious youth (Noman Habib), who dreams to become Shahid Afridi,
finds himself down on luck when the only cricket club he ever knew goes
bankrupt.

With no place else
to go, he discovers one last chance to save his club, his town and his dream. A
cricket tournament coming to Sialkot could prove to be the club’s last hope.
But are they ready yet?

What hope was there
for a team of misfits with no facility and no coach. Can they even qualify for
the cup and face the highly skilled undefeated rivals who were born with a
golden spoon in their mouths and every facility in their hands?

With that question
in mind, the team decides to take help from an ex-cricketer Akbar Deen (Humayun
Saeed), but Akbar has a dark past of his own.

When fates collide
and mysteries unfold “Main Hoon Shahid Afridi” embarks on a journey of
mistrust, betrayal, love, power and unfulfilled dreams.

Humayun Saeed,
initially had asked the legendary cricketer Shahid Khan Afridi himself to act
in the lead role.

“They offered me
the role but my elders did not let me act, but I happily gave them permission
to use my name as this film will bring about a positive message,” Shahid Afridi
had stated.

The soundtrack
consists of five songs, penned and composed by the duo Shani-Kami. The
melodious song “Jera Vee” by Shafqat Amanat Ali is my favorite. “Malaal” is a
love song by Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, which actually hit my soul. I found
the item song “Teri Hee Kamee” performed by Mahnoor Baloch and Mathira as
hilarious and technically promising.

Film distributor Nadeem
Mandviwalla appeared confident that “Main Hoon Shahid Afridi” would excel at
the box office.

He candidly shared
his views. “On all such jubilant occasions, we should never forget to pay
tribute to our superstars like Nadeem Baig and Javed Sheikh who have seen the
industry through thick-and-thin and have been resilient.”

Superstar Javed
Sheikh proudly said: “Humayun Saeed and his team has brought out a pleasant
surprise with this fare.

A new wave of
Pakistani cinema will come from Karachi and the new filmmakers will make better
films in much more limited circumstances.”

British-Indian
choreographer Sheetal Virani, who came specially from London, joyfully
expressed: “The choreography of some recent Bollywood films would be taken as a
joke after you watch the dazzling scenes filmed on Mahnoor and Mathira.”

Pride of Pakistan
Television Samina Peerzada appeared jubilant. “’Main Hoon Shahid Afridi’ is a
real trend setter. It’s a punchy movie with a definite appeal for people from
all walks of life. It’s about struggling for success and progress whilst
keeping the socio-cultural values intact.”

Comedy superstar
Umer Sharif remarked: “Everyone should watch this great movie. It has
everything one can ask for as entertainment. And such entertainment is required
by everyone of us in our daily life.”

Superstar Nadeem
Baig opined: “There is nothing wrong about going to Bollywood, but not at the
cost of your own cinema. Respect your soil and culture because it’s a part of
you and you are a part of it.”

Director Ali Reza
had a proactive approach: “We are not here to compete but to walk hand-in-hand
with our neighbors for the cause of entertainment.

“Whether you win or
lose doesn’t matter, but play with such a spirit that you can look into each
other’s eyes after the game,” said Ali Reza, delivering one of the lines from
the film.

A top Bollywood
film producer, who wished to stay anonymous and who flew from Singapore to
attend the ceremony, said: “‘Main Hoon Shahid Afridi’ is a well-rounded attempt
by Humayun Saeed and Shahzad Nasib. The duo and their team deserve kudos for an
outstanding achievement.”

Evergreen media
personality Bushra Ansari said: “If that’s what the Pakistani cinema goer
wants, that’s exactly what they will get. This movie shoots a clear message to
the divas not to mess with the Pakistani Film Industry any more.”